Eddie Mbugua spills on bringing his villainous best in Reckless

With almost three decades in the game, Eddie Mbugua shows no signs of slowing down. Known for his unforgettable portrayal of a money-laundering mastermind in Igiza, Eddie has proven time and again that he thrives in complex roles. 

Eddie is diving back into his sinister roots in Showmax youth drama Reckless. He takes on the role of James Amani, a manipulative schemer whose actions threaten to destroy the powerful Sonoko family.

In an exclusive interview, Eddie spills about stepping into this devious role.

With nearly three decades in the industry, how do you keep your performance fresh and compelling? 

One thing I always make sure to do is approach my character from a human perspective, not just through the script. People often think acting is about pretending to be someone else, but it is so much more than that. As an actor, you’re a conduit. Your job is to take the script and translate it into something real and alive for the audience. It’s about embodying the characters created by someone’s imagination and giving them a heartbeat. Acting isn’t pretending or being someone you’re not – it is about breathing life into those characters and making their stories resonate with the audience. That is what keeps me passionate about what I do. 

You have worked on both local and international productions. What unique strengths does Kenyan storytelling bring to the global entertainment space?

 Firstly, let me just say – I love my culture, I love my country. And one of the things we have embraced is telling our own stories unapologetically. We are not imitating anyone or forcing ourselves into someone else’s narrative. We are representing Kenya, and that’s something beautiful.

Credits to Showmax for having the courage to bring our stories to life, to let us be ourselves. Kenyan storytelling has come such a long way. We had Vioja Mahakamani, which was classic entertainment. Then came shows like Tausi, which I can barely remember except for that haunting theme song.

And now? We are making modern, traditional, and even futuristic stories. Remember Subterranea? That was groundbreaking sci-fi set in Africa – it’s daring, it’s different, but we pulled it off. That is what I admire about us; we are venturing beyond the norm, stepping out of comfort zones, and still staying true to who we are. 

James is an intriguing character in Reckless. What’s one thing about him that the audience might not expect? 

James is depicted as a villain, but what's the definition of a villain? You know, one person's terrorist is another person's freedom fighter. So yes, his antics define him as a villain, but if you look at his heart and understand where he's coming from and what drives him, then there's that imbalance of power.

I think a lot of people, especially in the corporate sector, would empathise with him in the unfairness of this social class system that we have. Those who have, hoard so much, and those who don’t, are left scrambling for scraps. James isn’t asking for the world – he just wants his fair share, his slice of the pie. Isn’t that what anyone would want?

That conflict, that hunger for justice, is something audiences will feel. Some might even empathise with him, maybe even experience a little Stockholm Syndrome. 

Villains often believe they are the hero of their own story. Do you think James sees himself as a villain, or does he think he’s justified in his actions? 

James’s drive isn’t rooted in malice. He is not necessarily a bad person. At his core, James wants the best for himself and his family. He’s ambitious, and let’s be honest – ambition has never been a flaw. It is how we grow.

Sometimes, you must take unconventional routes because the system is riddled with bureaucracy. For someone trying to make an honest living, the road is much harder than for those who cut corners or play dirty. The ones who bend the rules often get ahead faster.

Is the villain the person who takes shortcuts to succeed, or the one who struggles endlessly while trying to do the right thing? Reckless challenges us to rethink these ideas. It makes us question what we value – success at all costs or integrity that comes with sacrifice? 

If you could collaborate with any filmmaker in the world, who would it be and why? 

One of the filmmakers that I really admire is Philip Bresson of Insignia Production. He is one of those rare producers who has mastered the art of balancing the business side and the creative side of film. That’s something I wish more producers would grasp – because, at the end of the day, film is a business. You pour money into the actors, the sets, the crew – everything. The return on that investment? Audience appreciation. Audience uptake is the ultimate measure of success, and that’s something Philip has understood deeply.

I would love to continue collaborating with him because he gets it. Entertainment isn’t just about having fun. It’s also about putting money in our pockets. And how do we do that? By keeping our audiences happy. 

What is your favourite show to binge watch? 

My current binge is Severance. Again, I go for the very challenging plot. I need something that will make me think and open my dimensions. And Severance has been it. It tickles my, not just my fancy, but the out-of-body, out-of-this-world mentally, of course experience.  

What's your go-to comfort food after a long day of filming? 

I'm not a foodie. I always had issues with food. I used to be beaten to eat. And one of the things about looking forward to being an adult was nobody was ever going to tell me what to eat. So, I'm more of a coffee person. So coffee is my poison, and it's the only addiction that I have and I'm content with. 

What excites you most about the future of Kenyan creative industry? 

It’s nothing short of daring. We are stepping up with stories that are bold, authentic, and uniquely ours. We have moved past the shadows of colonial imagination. Now, we are thriving in our own identity, challenging ourselves and what we can create. 

To the next generation of filmmakers: don’t box yourselves in. Why not set a story in space? Who says Kenyans can’t be astronauts? Move beyond the clichés, show the world all sides of Kenya. Let’s tell our stories with boldness, because being true to ourselves is how we shine. 

Watch Eddie Mbugua on Reckless now streaming on Showmax.